Police have just announced a development in questioning of a teenage suspect arrested in connection with a violent assault on a child.

The Force has today successfully applied to the courts for more time detain the 16-year-old, after the disturbing incident involving a 10-year-old girl on Thursday October 4 in the Marley Road area of Exmouth.

The victim remains in the care of her family and health experts, together with specially trained officers who have now been able to speak to her about what happened.

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“Given the seriousness and complexity of this ongoing investigation, officers from the Major Crime Investigation Team have today applied for an extension under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act for a court order to allow us to hold the suspect until just before 5am on Monday, October 8 - This was granted by Exeter Magistrates Court today.

Forensic teams at Marley Road in Exmouth (Image: Abbie Bray)

Live updates will be published in our live blog below

“This investigation is being progressed at full pace, with teams from across the Force pulling together to establish the facts of what has occurred.

"The complexity, extensive range of our lines of enquiry, and the need to be diligent and thorough, means that we need this further time.

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The Major Crime Investigation Team who are leading the investigation are also conducting interviews with the 16-year-old who is being detained.

Supt Lawler continued: “I would like to thank the public for their messages of support to the young girl and her family, for the feedback and support we have had to officers on patrol and at cordons, and for the information we have had so far into our 101 webchat, email and telephone lines.

“Our appeal for information on Friday led to the arrest that has been made, however, it is vitally important that anyone who has yet to speak to us and who may have information, dashcam or CCTV footage, comes forward.

“If you were in the immediate area of Marley Road on Thursday afternoon, or may have seen anything suspicious in that area in the past few days, no matter how insignificant, please tell us.

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Girl, 10, attacked in Exmouth

“We are also appealing for dashcam images, video or CCTV covering the specific areas of Jubilee Drive; Marley Road; and Pound Lane in Exmouth between 3-6pm on Thursday.”

Anyone with any information, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage that can aid the police investigation is asked to contact 101 quoting log 367 for the 5th of October.

Live updates, background information and reaction below

17:59

Everything we know so far

Here’s everything we know so far

Police were first notified of the assault at around 5pm on Thursday afternoon.

The child was found by a member of the public near Marley Road.

Police say the girl was found in a ‘distressed state’ and was taken to her home in the Brixington area of Exmouth by a member of the public, where emergency services were contacted.

Officers sealed off the areas around the road and a major investigation was launched.

Cordons remained in place on Friday morning and roads were sealed off while officers continued with their investigations.

A full police response was launched including physical searches, speaking to people in the immediate area, and a thorough forensic examination of the scene.

Superintendent Matt Lawler, the local policing commander for Exeter, East and Mid Devon said on Friday morning: “The child has been taken to hospital where she is receiving the expert medical care and treatment she needs, supported by specialist officers from our Public Protection Unit, and of course her family.

“This is clearly a shocking event given it is so extreme and rare in East Devon, and as you would expect, we are therefore putting significant resources to this investigation.

“Given the complexity and sensitivity in supporting the child, the full details of what has happened may take a little while to become clear. That said, this a very proactive and thorough ongoing investigation and will involve searches of the scene and local area, house to house and CCTV enquiries, and further detailed forensic work.

“A number of people have been spoken to, but no-one has yet been arrested.

“I would ask everyone to try to remain calm and allow the investigation to take place. For example, it is not helpful to spread rumour or speculation on social media, as this may lead to further upset for others, including the family.

“To help with both the investigation and to provide reassurance there will be more visible policing in the area, and we would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Marley Road and the adjacent fields late yesterday afternoon and who may have noticed anything they feel may be relevant.”

At around 1.30pm on Friday police described who they were looking for

Police are looking for a male with a black jacket or coat, carrying a backpack with adjustable straps, wearing brown boots.

Police appeal for CCTV or dashcam footage

Officers are appealing for anyone with CCTV or dashcam of Jubilee Drive, Marley Road and Pound lane to come forward.

Police have made an arrest in connection with a violent assault on a 10-year-old girl in Exmouth yesterday.

The girl was allegedly attacked in a quiet residential area of the East Devon town on Thursday afternoon, and was found by a member of the public near Marley Road in a distressed state at 5pm.

A 16-year-old boy has now been arrested and remains in police custody awaits questioning.

At 4.40pm forensics and police remain on the scene

At 5.05pm residents react to the shocking news

Dawn Hines, who lives on Bankside, said: “I have three children and two grandchildren and it’s sickening to think something like this could happen here.

“I have lived here for 25 years and it’s such a lovely quiet area.

“I was out walking my dog yesterday afternoon and I could have passed by anyone.

“You just can’t imagine something like this to happen.

Forensic experts on scene at Marley Road, Exmouth (Image: Abbie Bray)

“It has left an eerie atmosphere in the area and it’s shaken the community.”

Another neighbour added: “It’s quite scary to think that something like this could happen.

“It is just too close to home. My son is six and it’s horrible to think that someone could do that to a 10-year-old girl.

“I won’t be letting my son out of the house.”

At 5.29pm residents say the area has an ‘eerie feel’

Tracie Mitchell, who has a five year old daughter, said: “There’s such an eerie feel this afternoon.

“I was in yesterday and it’s scary because I live so closely and I didn’t hear a thing and I wish I did so I could have helped the poor girl.”

Parents who live within the area have spoken of their shock since the incident and say they won’t be letting their children out of the house.

One neighbour who did not want to be named said: “It’s quite scary to think that something like this could happen.

“It is just too close to home. My son is six and it’s horrible to think that someone could do that to a 10-year-old girl.

“I won’t be letting my son out of the house.”

Police and forensics remain on the scene into Friday night

A policeman on the scene said searches will continue into the night and into Saturday morning.

Saturday morning sees continued ‘relentless’ investigation

Police confirm that cordons remain in place for the remainder of the day.

Supt Matt Lawler adds: “Visible patrols alongside detectives making enquires will continue throughout the weekend to both reassure residents, and to continue this relentless investigation.

“Witness appeal and CCTV/dashcam footage request remains important.”

Saturday afternoon more residents come forward with their concerns

Bankside resident Laura Easton told Devon Live that she still felt shocked by what happened.

“We kept our children inside last night,” she added. “But it’s very quiet here now. Police have been knocking on doors and forensic people We here yesterday.

“It’s awful what happened to the girl.

“This is a very quiet place usually and it does make you worry.”

Another resident added: “I hadn’t heard anything about it until I returned home from dropping my husband at the airport on Thursday afternoon and saw all the police.

“There’s never been anything like this round here and I’ve lived on Bankside for 20 years.

A second day of police investigations continue in Exmouth

“It’s a busy cut through so people walk up and down all the time - you wouldn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.

“But for it to happen right by a busy main road too is very odd. “The road is closed off so I’m staying in all day today.”

At 5.30pm on Saturday police confirm extension for suspect, 16

Supt Lawler explains: “Following any arrest police are legally allowed permitted up to 24 hours to detain an individual, which can extended to 36 hours for serious matters without the need for a court order.

“Given the seriousness and complexity of this ongoing investigation, officers from the Major Crime Investigation Team have today applied for an extension under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act for a court order to allow us to hold the suspect until just before 5am on Monday, October 8 - This was granted by Exeter Magistrates Court today.

“This investigation is being progressed at full pace, with teams from across the Force pulling together to establish the facts of what has occurred.

“The complexity, extensive range of our lines of enquiry, and the need to be diligent and thorough, means that we need this further time.

“The Major Crime Investigation Team who are leading the investigation are also conducting interviews with the 16-year-old who is being detained.”

Supt Lawler continued: “I would like to thank the public for their messages of support to the young girl and her family, for the feedback and support we have had to officers on patrol and at cordons, and for the information we have had so far into our 101 webchat, email and telephone lines.

“Our appeal for information on Friday led to the arrest that has been made, however, it is vitally important that anyone who has yet to speak to us and who may have information, dashcam or CCTV footage, comes forward.

“If you were in the immediate area of Marley Road on Thursday afternoon, or may have seen anything suspicious in that area in the past few days, no matter how insignificant, please tell us.

“We are also appealing for dashcam images, video or CCTV covering the specific areas of Jubilee Drive; Marley Road; and Pound Lane in Exmouth between 3-6pm on Thursday.”